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Presently I am having a solo exhibit at The Basilica of St Mary, in Minneapolis MN. I have 36 pieces exhibited, 20 of which have been made in the last year and a half. The show is on from September 12 through October 25, 2015. If you are in the area please stop by and check it out. There will be a reception on September 27, 1:00 PM.

I am going to share a picture and description of a carving that I completed recently for the 150 anniversary of the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrival in Mankato,MN. The actual date they arrived here was Sept. 3, 1865. The following is the description:

The four women on the top part of the carving represent S. Ambrosia, S. Johanna of the Cross, S. Rebeccah and Candidate Mary Helling who travelled from Milwaukee, WI in 1865. The man gazing out into the future toward the bottom part of the carving is to represent the original calling for SSND’s to Mother Caroline, in Milwaukee, by Leo Lamm in 1864 and later Father Sommereisen in 1865.

The leaves shooting out in different directions represent how education provided Continue reading →

I recently finished this commission which will be hung in the Library of one of the schools where our Sisters have served for many years. There will be a plaque with the following words hung next to the wood carving.

Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger is shown amidst the Totino Grace Students in Fridley, MN with her quote, “Love is the bond that unites us.” Educating others to their fullest potential Continue reading →

With the heat we have been having this summer the sunflowers have been growing taller and following the sun. If you are fortunate enough to see a field of sunflowers, you can enjoy a sea of yellow blowing in the wind. One of my memories of driving out to North Dakota is viewing such fields along the highway. Sunflowers are a fun flower that remind us to stretch out and keep reaching for light. Sunflower, 10″h x 7″w x 1″d

In summer it is easy to notice all the beautiful signs of nature around us during the day and at night. The cross I am showing is a result of some reflection on that beauty. The moon, sun and stars are represented near the top. Waters of baptism and springs that give life are also present flowing throughout the piece. It is intertwined with leaves representing our constant call to new life. Some of the fruits of the wheat and grapes demonstrate our Eucharistic calling to be for others.

Yesterday as I stepped out the door I noticed a daisey sprouting up through the grass in full bloom. It made me smile because it was a rather unexpected surprise because I had not noticed it there before. This is the season for all sorts of beauty to be in bloom. I enjoy carving various flowers to reflect that beauty and that way they can be enjoyed in any season. Hope that your summer is in full bloom with beauty.

June is typically known as the month of the Sacred Heart because the feast day is in June. With heart throbs pulsating through our veins we carry on the love that has been our heritage. We encounter many different people and situations to live this love out. We feel the rhythm of its flow in our efforts to transform the

This past week I worked on this new cross and combined the Pentecost story. The coming of the Spirit leaves Mary and the apostles filled with the Divine. We too pray Spirit come, ignite us and inspire us in word and deed. What happened that day could barely be comprehended. People spoke different languages which they normally did not know and others heard and understood different languages which they normally did not know. We pray that the same Spirit will continue to infiltrate our world with grace and create a global wildfire of energy.

I wanted to show the completed piece of the Emmaus story that I have been working on this past month. When I completed it yesterday I wanted to include some white marble and earth tone tiles for the rays around Christ head. They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread so I wanted to also break up the tile in the rays because they were not sure who they were talking to. Often we do not get the whole pictureContinue reading →

Very early in the morning three woman Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James or (Put your name and your friends names in the blanks) _______, _____, and _______are making their way to the tomb. Filled with despair we encounter the angel and hear the message to go out beyond the tomb. We are told not to dwell on death only. We are invited to tell the risen story that needs to be shared.

This welcoming angel does not leave us helpless but points the way to gifts that the Spirit provides.Continue reading →

In March we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel, as a messenger of God, came to Mary and told her she was to be the Mother of Jesus. Many images have been created of this scene over the years.Continue reading →

Usually at the end of my work day in my studio,especially in the winter months, I try to remind myself to look out my west windows. With my work I spend much of my time looking down at what I am carving but when I look up I am often greeted with vibrant beauty.Continue reading →

Today, Feb.2, is the feast day of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. A few years back I carved the Seven Sorrows of Mary and this actually is the first sorrow. Jesus is between Simeon and Mary.Continue reading →

This relief carving is a tribute to John the Baptist, as last Sunday we celebrated the Baptism of Jesus. John of course baptized Jesus and he continually pointed the way to someone beyond his grasp. He reminds us of the importance of entering into new life

Happy New Year ! I hope it will be a great year for all of you. Today is also a day to pray for World Peace. I thought that this carving would be an appropriate one for this day, to get us reflecting on peace and what our role is in seeing its fulfillment.

The piece bids us to consider anew the call of God in the world. The Jewish shofar (horn) announces a new time that we are called to participate in. We are always trying to usher in peace

At the beginning of Advent I put up my “Love Cannot Wait” Exhibit again at Our Lady of Good Counsel Campus, in Mankato, MN. It went up outside our chapel entrance, but only this time it will be viewed one piece at a time (about one piece a month) until October 2017. At that time we will have our next General Chapter and receive a new directional statement to live out.

It is a new approach for an exhibit, but I think it will be quite effective. Next to each piece each month will also hang the imagined childhood diary of our Foundress, Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, which I also wrote. The diary pairs one of my works with each diary entry.

The last months I have been working to make some smaller pieces for my annual Twinkling Wood Chips Show. If you happen to be in the Mankato, Mn area this coming Saturday November 22, stop by for some homemade cookies and hot apple cider between 10 and 4.Continue reading →